The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is gearing up to roll out the Cold Weather Payments scheme for 2024 as temperatures start to dip across the UK. This automatic £25 payment is made to those on certain benefits or receiving support for mortgage interest.
The payment will be made to some residents in England and Wales when the temperature falls below 0C for seven consecutive days. Although the scheme isn’t currently active, it’s set to begin shortly. The scheme is set to be reintroduced on Friday, November 1, and is expected to run until Monday, March 31, 2025. As per GOV.UK.
The site states: “If you’re eligible to get Cold Weather Payments, you’ll get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days.”
These payments are deposited into the same bank or building society account as benefit payments. Cold Weather Payments do not affect your eligibility for other benefits, reports Leicestershire Live.
If you’re on Income Support or income-based JSA, typically, the payments are received if you have a disability or pensioner premium, have a disabled child, receive a Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element, or have a child under five living with you.
For those on income-related ESA, eligibility criteria include having a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a disabled child, receiving Child Tax Credits that include a disability or severe disability element, or having a child under five living with you. Universal Credit claimants can qualify for the payment if they or their partner are not employed or ‘gainfully self-employed’, have a health condition or disability and have a ‘limited capability for work’, or have a child under five living with them.
With support for mortgage interest, you will be eligible if you have a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium or a disabled child. Eligibility also extends to those who receive Child Tax Credits that include a disability or severe disability element or have a child under five living with them.
Certain criteria apply for the Cold Weather Payments. People will receive them if they are on:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest